Building trades class house on the market

ALPENA -Alpena High School building trade students have been working for 2 1/2 years building a house from the ground up. The program for AHS students building houses has been around for many years, and this completed house will total 29 homes built by local area students.

Program teacher Jason Loyer has been working with the class for two hours a day, during school hours, hammering out project by project to finish the three bedroom, 2,000 square foot home. There have been around 175 students involved in the program, which is a huge organizational feat to finish.

Local builders, plumbers, electrical, and mechanical companies are all contracted on the house with the condition they work with the students to get their respective jobs done.

“Students learn masonry, rough framing, finish work, trimming, roofing, siding, and basically everything you can think of on the whole house,” Loyer said. “The project is financed by the school district, then when the house is sold, the school recoups the money. The students pick the design and work on acquiring the permits needed.”

The house is equipped with Anderson windows, dark cherry wood cabinets with soft close mechanisms, and beautifully crafted distressed hickory wood flooring. There is a composite deck on the rear of the house accessible from both the living room and the master suite.

“The master suite has a jet tub, standing shower, two sinks, and two walk-in closets,” real estate agent Margie Haaxma said. “They have always been quality homes and we’ve had the privilege of presenting them to the public when they come to market.”

The agent who sells the last house made by the students has the first opportunity to list the new house.

There will be an open house for anyone wanting to view the students’ handywork on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Everyone including interested buyers, to former students who contributed to the house, to the curious public is more than welcome to attend.

“We encourage everyone to come and see the work of our students,” said Joyce McCoy, director of career and technical education, who has been overseeing the program for the last few years. “The students take a lot of pride in the house and their work.”

Students from Loyer’s class also have been busy working with para-professional Dave Hall on completing a habitat house for Habitat for Humanity this year.

Nicole Grulke can be reached via email at ngrulke@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5687. Follow Nicole on Twitter @ng_alpenanews.